The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-01-15

which long gossip took place on politics;
the Queen, the Shah, the Prince of Wales,
and our hosts horses, dogs, guns and va
rious other possessions, which were exhi-
bited and duly admired.
1t was now sunset, and military band,
some twenty strong, and all apparently
playing different tunes, produced tohutohu
truly diabolical Then wine was served
the delicious but heady wine of Hamadan.
Trays of sweetmeats, each containing a
dozen varieties of beautifully made bonbons
and comfts, all of snowy whiteness, were
placed on the ground at either side Of each
of the party. The guests drank their wine
from glasses; the hosts used bowls of silver
of the size and shape of a finger glass.
Spirits in the form of arrack-the strong
coarse spirit of the country-were offered
to us and declined; our hosts drank it like
water.
And now entered four lutis or bufoons.
They sang, they danced, and they told
short stories, to the intense amusement of
our hosts. Then, amid the rhythmic beat
/ ing of drums and tambourines, the clash of
cymbals and the sounds of the cornet, flute,
harp, yiol, sackbut and all kinds of music,
came four pretty gypsy girls, dressed in the
gayest colors and covered with glittering
jewelry. They sailed into the room, each
decorated with her professional smile.
Truth to say, these girls were much painted;
but in Persia every lady paints on great
occasions. The eyebrows and eyelashes
had been much beautifed. Two of the
girls wore their ietty tresses in innumer-
able plaits; from the end of each plait hung
a lille bell or silver coin. The other two
I allowed their magnificent eheveIures of
wavy black hair to hang in cascade which
/ fell far below their waists As to their
eyes, it is enough to say that they were
Persian eyes. The age Of the dancers va
ried from thirteen to seventeen.
The dance had no variety. The four
young ladies spun round in a row, the hands
high in the air, while the fingers were
snapped with sound like the playing of
castenets. Now and then the dancers would
make what children call cheese" Then,
While their feet RENAL - B, their
bodies would be sway ed more
'sddd mess rapidly ickened.
Then tt ut almost
ed in time to thl l6Ilsis
ed pair of.symbols Gan incn(
between the forefnger and thumb -
hand. Meanwhile the musicians were sing
ing Persian love song with wild refrain,
in which all joined. The scene was sufi-
GENTLY gay one, all taking place under a
blaze of light from the chandeliers and car
riage lamps.
The girls now danced singly, and va
riety of posturing was gone through. They
balanced full glasses and lighted candles;
they stood on their heads; they walked on
their hands in procession-emulating the
more difficult attitudes depicted On the
walls. Then they danced rather grace
full scarf-dance Then their attentions be-
came personal. They would be well re-
warded by our hosts, but we gave them a
few coins, and then they retired, smiling
and kissing their hands.
After few minutes rest the musicians
suddenly recommended their performance
with fresh vigor. The tune-for it was
something distinctly resembling an air
grew faster and more furious. And now
entered a strange parsonage. He was about
four feet high, with huge fair face ike
full moon, small body, short legs, huge
bare feet and an enormous white turban.
The face was one of intense and dismal stu
pidity. The mannikin danced in grotes-
que manner, his arms extended at right
angle to his body. The stupid round face,
eighteen inches across, never for moment
lost its dismal expression. We laughed
till we cried. Suddenly the dismal, stupid
face expands into a grin, it becomes
laughing mask, it resumes its air of melan-
choly and idiotic stupidity; it grins, it
laughs, it assumes the most ludicrous con-
tortions. How was it done One of the
buffoons had carefully painted the face on
bare space Immediately below his waist.
The gigantic turban concealed his chest.
arms and head. A boys coat and trou-
sers and false arms completed his make up,
Dinner was served-the usual Persian
dinner of 100 dishes. Dinner for four,
food for fifty At IL o'clock VIC were al
lowed to depart, leaving our hosts in the
humor to make night of it. The foun-
tain was still playing, so was the band.
The girls were still dancing, the lights
blazing, the bul5uls still singing.
The Origin of Silk.
I